CASE STUDIES

Prada Group strengthens cybersecurity

Overview

The Prada Group embodies global excellence in the world of luxury, custodian of iconic brands such as Prada, Miu Miu, Church’s, Car Shoe, Marchesi 1824 and Luna Rossa. With more than 14,900 employees, the Group designs and produces ready-to-wear, leather goods, footwear and jewelry collections, distributing its products in more than 70 countries through 593 directly operated stores, e-commerce channels, selected retailers and department stores.

The challenge

For a company like Prada, which has focused its attentions on product, manufacturing and retail for decades, adopting a robust cybersecurity strategy is a necessary step and a strategic priority for the company, which has chosen to decisively address the challenges of digital. Well aware that cyber risk needs to be recognized and mitigated with structured, targeted, and integrated approaches in day-to-day business operations.

The solution

After evaluating several platforms proposed by emerging international providers, the Prada Group found Cyber Guru to be an ideal partner. A choice determined by the high quality of the content and the ability to make it truly engaging. Since the launch of the awareness and training program, christened SecYOUrity, the results are already evident: an increase in membership and greater awareness of the topics covered.

The luxury giant has chosen Cyber Guru solutions to make cyber security a strategic pillar, capable of supporting the business and protecting the value of its brands globally

The Prada Group, through a vision that skillfully combines tradition and innovation, has established itself as a symbol of great manufacturing mastery.

Prada S.p.A. is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the code 1913 for about 20 percent, while the remaining capital is controlled by the Prada-Bertelli family. In addition to the unmistakable aesthetics of its products, the Group is distinguished by its ongoing commitment to sustainability, promoted with determination by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli ‘s son, Lorenzo, the man who represents the Group’s future.

In the midst of a phase of transformation and evolution, the luxury giant, led by Andrea Guerra, has chosen to decisively face the challenges of digital, putting cybersecurity at the center of its business strategy. We talk about this with Ugo Vignolo Lutati, who in April 2023 assumed the role of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of the Prada Group. “With my joining and a direct report to the board, cybersecurity has become a strategic priority for the company,” explains Vignolo Lutati. “It is no longer considered a cost, but an enabler for the business. This shift in perspective is critical, because cyber risk must be recognized and mitigated with structured and targeted approaches.”

To integrate cybersecurity into everyday business life, Prada has launched an ambitious awareness and training program, which has been christened SecYOUrity. “The message is clear: cybersecurity starts with each individual, and must become a natural habit, even outside the work environment,” Vignolo Lutati stresses.

The immersive approach to cybersecurity: the SecYOUrity program

The cyber-awareness campaign found Cyber Guru an ideal partner. “We evaluated several solutions, including those proposed by emerging international vendors, but in the end we chose Cyber Guru for the high quality of their content and their ability to make it truly engaging, thus enhancing an Italian reality. Their videos manage to overcome the so-called next, next, next effect, typical of traditional training modules, where the user tends to hastily click to advance without paying attention. On the contrary, Cyber Guru’s content captures interest, stimulates participation and leaves a concrete impact.”

Cyber Guru’s Channel program has been adopted globally involving all Prada Group subsidiaries. “Since the launch of the initiative in May, we have always given communication a prominent role, even using stickers with comic characters and QR codes to access the Cyber Guru platform, and the results are already evident: we have seen an increase in memberships and greater awareness of the topics covered,” says Vignolo Lutati.

Among upcoming initiatives, the Prada Group plans to integrate gamification into training and review onboarding processes, possibly with the support of Cyber Gurus. In addition, the Group has introduced meetings with ethical hackers to further raise employees’ awareness of the dark side of digital by including Cyber Guru in the panel of events.

“Our challenge is to engage the younger generation as well, making cybersecurity accessible, interesting and part of everyday life. With Cyber Guru we are succeeding in making this goal a reality,” concludes Vignolo Lutati.

To read the full interview and learn more, click here